Fw: Senator Boxer: Fighting Childhood Obesity

February 25, 2007

Here's another issue email from Barbara Boxer that has "go vegan" as the obvious answer for the enlightened among us. I've included my response to her below. I hope that you'll take 5 minutes to write out your own letter to her here:

http://www.boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm

Thanks!

·Dave

I was both pleased and proud to see your email announcing the Healthy Students Act that you introduced. My biggest fear is that the livestock and dairy lobby will get their way and influence the commission to include – nay REQUIRE – both meat and dairy in their menu recommendations.

I highly encourage you (or whomever on your staff will be following up on this issue) to engage with CHOICE http://www.choiceusa.net/ who has been working toward this goal since 1994, and PCRM http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/childhood_obesity.html who has compiled some very interesting facts on childhood obesity.

Please, for once make sure this legislation is written in a way to ensure scientific facts are used to draw conclusions and not the deep pockets of the meat and dairy industries.

Thank you for listening.

----- Forwarded Message ----U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer <bulletinfeedbackdavidcortrightSent: Friday, February 23, 2007 11:21:55 PMSenator Boxer: Fighting Childhood Obesity

Dear Friend:I want to share some good news about California’s success infighting childhood obesity and my legislation to build on thatsuccess.California recently earned an “A” on the national ChildhoodObesity Report Card issued by the University of BaltimoreObesity Initiative. One of only six states in the nation toreceive the highest grade, California was recognized for itsinnovative public outreach campaign to fight childhood obesity. California’s effort was led by First 5 California, a statecommission that coordinates education, health, childcare, andother programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5. Working with the California Health and Human Services Agency,First 5 California last year developed a series of English- andSpanish-language TV ads aimed at parents of young children. First 5 California followed up with radio, print, and billboardads encouraging families

to make healthier choices for theirchildren, and local First 5 commissions have establishednutrition, fitness, and parent education programs to fightchildhood obesity. Of course, we know that there is more to be done: one in threeCalifornia children is still overweight or at risk of beingoverweight. As a result, children are suffering fromtraditionally adult diseases -- including type 2 diabetes,hypertension, and high cholesterol -- and putting their healthin great danger. That is why I have authored and introduced S.100, the HealthyStudents Act of 2007. My bill would ensure that during theschool day, children have access to better nutrition and healthcare, more physical activity, and the skills necessary for alifetime of good health.The Healthy Students Act would create a commission ofchildren’s health experts to review existing school nutritionguidelines and develop new,

healthier standards that providemore fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminate food of minimalnutritional value. My bill would also establish a grantprogram for school nutrition pilot programs that promotehealthy eating and provide funding for programs that extendphysical activity time at school. In the coming months, I willbe working to see that the Healthy Students Act passes Congressand is signed into law. Sincerely,Barbara BoxerUnited States Senator================================================If this message reached you in error, or if you would like tocancel your subscription, please reply to this message with“” in the subject line. For more information on Senator Boxer's record and otherinformation, please go to: http://www.boxer.senate.govTo respond to this message, please

click on the following link:http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/feedback.cfm . This linkwill take you to a webpage where you can respond to messagesthat you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.